Mrs. Zelpha Miller

Funeral services for Zelpha Ray Huffman Miller will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2:00 PM, at Hawthorn Funeral Home, Carthage, Texas, with Phil Jimerson officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service at 1:00 PM. Interment will be at Macedonia Cemetery, Carthage. Zelpha departed from this life on February 15, 2026 in Carthage. She was born In Walters, Louisiana on May 16, 1936, the only daughter of Carter C. and Tullie Ganey Huffman. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Zelpha was baptized at age 12 in her home church, Prosperity Baptist in Walters. She was serving as the pianist there when she met and married her husband of 60 years, Everett, the newly called pastor. She was a homemaker and a devoted pastor’s wife. When Zelpha was just two years old, her mother passed away unexpectedly, leaving her father, Carter, to raise four young children. With the steady love of her grandparents, Len and Vinnie Huffman, the family found strength in those early, difficult days. Growing up quickly, Zelpha learned responsibility at a tender age—by four she was making biscuits for her dad and brothers, and after school she hurried home to cook and help keep the household running while her father worked long hours in the field. Those years shaped in her a quiet strength, deep faith, and servant’s heart. Zelpha met Everett at church, and within months they were married, building their life firmly on their love for God. She faithfully served beside him throughout his pastoral ministry, playing the piano at church, managing their home with wisdom and care, raising their boys, and encouraging Everett in every season, especially as a bi-vocational pastor. Together they were true partners in ministry and in life until Everett’s passing in 2012. Zelpha’s greatest delight was found in her family. She loved watching her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in everything they did — especially their sports. “Maw Maw” was their biggest fan, and in her eyes, they could do no wrong. She filled her days with the things she loved: tending to her flower gardens, cooking with heart and skill, and reading her treasured Bible. Her home-baked pies and sour cream pound cake brought comfort to countless souls who were hurting or grieving. Zelpha was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Everett Miller, her parents, stepmother Janie Huffman, brothers, Charles, Aulcey, W. L. (Dub), Buddie, and Kenny Huffman. Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, Donnie Huffman, sister, Nita Boddie; sons, Randy Miller (and wife Debbie), and Reggie Miller (and wife Dana); grandchildren, Luke (Lara Kate) Miller, Emily (Ben) Dial, Nolan (Alissa) Miller; and seven great grandchildren, Landon, Lincoln, Emerson, Abigail, Sawyer, Griffin and Natalie. Pallbearers will be Luke Miller, Landon Miller, Nolan Miller, Ben Dial, Ricky Huffman and Will Huffman. The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Marian Place Assisted Living in Carthage for their attentiveness and loving care for Zelpha. The family requests memorials in honor of Zelpha to Macedonia Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1113, Carthage, Texas 75633. An online guestbook may be signed at: www.hawthornfuneralhome.com

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Mrs. Zelpha Miller

May 16, 1936 - February 15, 2026